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How to Say ‘Please speak slowly.’ in Japanese

ゆっくりはなしてください。

yukkuri hanashi te kudasai

[yukkuri hah-nah-shee teh kudasai]

Phrase Breakdown

ゆっくり

yukkuri

[yukkuri]

slowly

An adverb meaning slowly. In caregiving, it can imply careful, patient action to avoid mistakes or fear.

Example

移乗はゆっくりやります。

I do transfers slowly.

はなしてください。

hanashi te kudasai

please speak

A polite request: ha-na-shi-te ku-da-sa-i. The 'u' in 'ku' is soft.

Example

もっとおおきいこえではなしてください。

Please speak in a louder voice.

Words in this phrase

はなし

hanashi

[hah-nah-shee]

talk; speak

The stem of はなす, meaning 'to talk' or 'to speak.'

Example

あとでもっとはなしませんか。

Shall we talk more later?

て

te

[teh]

te-form ending

This て makes the phrase a gentle request or friendly instruction: please take care.

Example

てはお気をつけての終わりです。

て is the ending of お気をつけて.

ください

kudasai

[kudasai]

please (do)

Used to make a polite request.

Example

手伝ってください。

Please help me.

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